Utah weeds · Summer annual succulent · peak June – October
How to get rid of Purslane in Utah
How to recognize Purslane
- Thick, fleshy, reddish stems that sprawl flat across the soil
- Small, paddle-shaped, succulent leaves
- Tiny yellow flowers that open in sun
- A shallow root system under the center of the mat
Why it thrives in Utah
Purslane loves heat and does well in rock beds, sidewalk cracks and sunny garden soil. Its seeds can stay in the soil for years, and because the stems are succulent, pieces left on moist ground can take root again.
How to remove it by hand
- Pull the whole mat from the center so the stems stay attached.
- Shake off loose soil so you are not spreading seed into the bed.
- Bag the plants. Do not leave them on the ground or toss them in a compost pile.
- Rake or pick up any broken pieces left behind.
- Check again weekly through summer.
When to pull it
It starts when the soil is warm, from about late May, and grows through September and into October.
How to keep it from coming back
- Mulch bare soil, and top up thin areas in rock beds.
- Pull before it flowers and sets seed.
- Water at the roots of your plants rather than across bare soil.
Purslane FAQs
Why does purslane come back after I pull it?
Pieces of stem left on moist soil can re-root, and seeds already in the ground keep sprouting. Pulling it whole and bagging it, then repeating, is what ends it.
Can I leave pulled purslane on the soil?
It is better not to. A pulled plant left on damp ground can re-root, so bag it.
Does purslane grow in rock beds?
Yes. It does well in hot, bare, gravelly spots, which is why rock beds and cracks are favorite places.
Skip the pulling
A weeder from Utah Weed Pullers can handle purslane for you: one visit a week, pulled by hand with no sprays, from $322 a month. We serve all of Utah County and Salt Lake County, including Lehi, Provo, Orem, Draper, Sandy, South Jordan, American Fork, Salt Lake City. See every city.